Team Review: FC Barcelona in the 2013-14 Season

While most critics consider Barca’s 2013-14 season to be a little disappointing, at least they managed to remain in the top two spots of the Spanish top-tier league even if it meant emerging better than the third placers only by goal difference. The side earned a total of 87 points—13 points lower than their score from last season—and earned a goal difference of +67 which was only one goal clear of Real Madrid’s tally.

Failing to defend their title did not necessarily make Barcelona less preferred amongst online betting enthusiasts and fans alike. The 22-time La Liga champions still showed quality football of its own class and managed to win 27 out of their 38 fixtures in the season.

During the summer transfer window, eight players—new and returning—were added to Barcelona’s ensemble. The most hyped of which was rising Brazilian star Neymar who transferred to the club for a reported €57-million deal. Bojan Krkic was also one of the team’s biggest transfers last season, who inked a €130-million contract to play at Camp Nou. Other players who joined Luis Enrique’s squad were Ibrahim Afellay, Isaac Cuenca, Sergi Roberto, Oier Olazabal, Rafinha, and Gerard Deulofeu. Meanwhile, nine players left Barca to play for other teams, the most notable of which was Thiago Alcantara who transferred to Bundesliga’s Bayern Munich for a fee amounting to €25 million.

As expected, Lionel Messi ended the season as the top-scoring player from the team. He scored 28 league goals (and 13 others) despite of the fact that he only played in 31 matches due to injury. He was the season’s second best scorer, behind only Real Madrid’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo who netted 31. Sanchez and Pedro were also among last season’s top 10 scorers.

Apart from placing second in La Liga, Barcelona also finished as runners up in the Copa del Rey, as quarter-finalists in the UEFA Champions League, and as winners in the Supercopa de España.